Proverbs 15

1A mild answer breaketh wrath: but a harsh word stirreth up fury.

1A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.

2The tongue of the wise adorneth knowledge: but the mouth of fools bubbleth out folly.

2The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness.

3The eyes of the Lord in every place behold the good and the evil.

3The eyes of the Lord are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.

4A peaceable tongue is a tree of life: but that which is immoderate, shall crush the spirit.

4A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit.

5A fool laugheth at the instruction of his father: but he that regardeth reproofs shall become prudent. In abundant justice there is the greatest strength: but the devices of the wicked shall be rooted out.

5A fool despiseth his father’s instruction: but he that regardeth reproof is prudent.

6The house of the just is very much strength: and in the fruits of the wicked is trouble.

6In the house of the righteous is much treasure: but in the revenues of the wicked is trouble.

7The lips of the wise shall disperse knowledge: the heart of fools shall be unlike.

7The lips of the wise disperse knowledge: but the heart of the foolish doeth not so.

8The victims of the wicked are abominable to the Lord: the vows of the just are acceptable.

8The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord: but the prayer of the upright is his delight.

9The way of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord: he that followeth justice is beloved by him.

9The way of the wicked is an abomination unto the Lord: but he loveth him that followeth after righteousness.

10Instruction is grievous to him that forsaketh the way of life: he that hateth reproof shall die.

10Correction is grievous unto him that forsaketh the way: and he that hateth reproof shall die.

11Hell and destruction are before the Lord: how much more the hearts of the children of men?

11Hell and destruction are before the Lord: how much more then the hearts of the children of men?

12A corrupt man loveth not one that reproveth him: nor will he go to the wise.

12A scorner loveth not one that reproveth him: neither will he go unto the wise.

13A glad heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by grief of mind the spirit is cast down.

13A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.

14The heart of the wise seeketh instruction: and the mouth of fools feedeth on foolishness.

14The heart of him that hath understanding seeketh knowledge: but the mouth of fools feedeth on foolishness.

15All the days of the poor are evil: a secure mind is like a continual feast.

15All the days of the afflicted are evil: but he that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast.

16Better is a little with the fear of the Lord, than great treasures without content.

16Better is little with the fear of the Lord than great treasure and trouble therewith.

17It is better to be invited to herbs with love, than to a fatted calf with hatred.

17Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith.

18A passionate man stirreth up strifes: he that is patient appeaseth those that are stirred up.

18A wrathful man stirreth up strife: but he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife.

19The way of the slothful is as a hedge of thorns: the way of the just is without offence.

19The way of the slothful man is as an hedge of thorns: but the way of the righteous is made plain.

20A wise son maketh a father joyful: but the foolish man despiseth his mother.

20A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish man despiseth his mother.

21Folly is joy to the fool: and the wise man maketh straight his steps.

21Folly is joy to him that is destitute of wisdom: but a man of understanding walketh uprightly.

22Designs are brought to nothing where there is no counsel: but where there are many counsellors, they are established.

22Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellors they are established.

23A man rejoiceth in the sentence of his mouth: and a word in due time is best.

23A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word spoken in due season, how good is it!

24The path of life is above for the wise, that he may decline from the lowest hell.

24The way of life is above to the wise, that he may depart from hell beneath.

25The Lord will destroy the house of the proud: and will strengthen the borders of the widow.

25The Lord will destroy the house of the proud: but he will establish the border of the widow.

26Evil thoughts are an abomination to the Lord: and pure words most beautiful shall be confirmed by him.

26The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the Lord: but the words of the pure are pleasant words.

27He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house: but he that hateth bribes shall live. By mercy and faith sins are purged away: and by the fear of the Lord every one declineth from evil.

27He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house; but he that hateth gifts shall live.

28The mind of the just studieth obedience: the mouth of the wicked overfloweth with evils.

28The heart of the righteous studieth to answer: but the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things.

29The Lord is far from the wicked: and he will hear the prayers of the just.

29The Lord is far from the wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the righteous.

30The light of the eyes rejoiceth the soul: a good name maketh the bones fat.

30The light of the eyes rejoiceth the heart: and a good report maketh the bones fat.

31The ear that heareth the reproofs of life, shall abide in the midst of the wise.

31The ear that heareth the reproof of life abideth among the wise.

32He that rejecteth instruction, despiseth his own soul: but he that yieldeth to reproof, possesseth understanding.

32He that refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul: but he that heareth reproof getteth understanding.

33The fear of the Lord is the lesson of wisdom: and humility goeth before glory.

33The fear of the Lord is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility.